A recovering heroin addict who is “constantly in trouble with the law” has avoided jail after he was caught with stolen items worth over €11,000.

Gareth Joyce (35) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a hedge trimmer, a Black & Decker drill and a gas cooker all worth €288 at Delafort Drive, Dublin on October 16, 2016.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of a laptop, phones, foreign currency, a pearl necklace and other jewellery with a combined value of €11,000 at Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, Dublin, on October 6, 2016.